RM Value

[DARE]

Interested in what y'all think my RM is worth.
SN 47138, REG 657. Shipped 12/24/1935 to Potchernick's in San Antonio, TX. 5" barrel, blue, McGivern gold bead front and square notch rear, Magna style stocks. My letter says appears to have been owned by an FBI agent in the San Antonio, Tx area.
One of my S&WHF documents says gun is property of Jomer C White, c/o The Federal Bureau of Investigation.
There was not an agent named Jomer, but there was an agent named James C (Doc) White assigned to San Antonio office during the time my gun was sold and returned to S&W for repair.
I think Jomer is a typo or error and my gun was owned by James C (Doc) White. JC White was a Texas Ranger and somewhat prominent FBI agent in the 30's .
My gun has no accessories or box, and grips are not correct. Had Curtis Harlow make a set of reproduction magnas.
There are a couple of threads about my gun. .357 Magnum REG 657 and .357 Magnum REG 657 Update.
In the pre-war .357 Magnum database, Terry Lester lists my gun at 96% and says it was owned by Texas Ranger and FBI agent James C White.
I have no plans to sell the gun, but my son might once I am gone. Would recommend that he try this site to dispose of it.
Appreciate any help.

 

[Modified]

In the current market something like ~6 to ~9k. It's hard to say for sure what premium the FBI ownership adds. The configuration is great, and desirable. The lack of original stocks is a real negative. Although I wouldn't personally just look for a set of real original Magnas, if anything I'd look at original Ropers (non-thumbrest). The gun will not be original ever again anyway, Ropers are a real upgrade, are wonderful or shooting, and hold their value well.

As it sits the gun would likely be purchased as if they didn't have stocks at all.

 

[rct269]

Mine, 98-99% (a Cheely gun), #643, 6.5 ", Roper Thumb-rest Target grips, no LEO connection, nothing else besides gun, sold for $7500 within the last 2 years.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Ruger 13]

Are the grips original?

 

[outta_ammo]

The last 20 RMs I've watched go by on GB and other auction sites went for a median price of $6,613. The high was $14,857 with solid provenance. Sounds like you're towards the later catetory.

 

[Doug627]

Ruger 1,3: Read the OP closely. He says the stocks are not original. I've made the same mistake myself when reading too fast.

 

[rct269]

Are the grips original?

Assuming you're talking to me, the grips are real Ropers, but the gun is not one of the 6 "factory fitted" with Ropers. I don't even know what Jinks meant by "factory fitted"---other than perhaps simply that there were 6 RMs shipped with Roper grips installed----and I'd bet money on that (not very much money I grant you, but a little dab just to make it interesting).

Ralph Tremaine

 

[lawandorder]

There are two audiences for the revolver if it ever comes up for sale, RM Afficinados and collectors of historical Law Enforcement artifacts.

Google the owner, Doc White was pretty famous..

 

[Goblin]

I think you already know the gun with no history would start at $5k. I’m thinking in the $7,000 range.

 

[MrG5122]

Didn't we talk about this gun a few weeks/month ago? I remember 'Jomer'.

 

[handejector]

First, I am valuing the gun with Factory magnas. Even though they won't be original to the gun, it needs Factory grips.

I have sold guns that belonged to Texas Rangers. I have sold guns that belonged to FBI agents.
An FBI gun is a different game from other Reg Mags. A Texas Ranger gun of any type is a different game from any similar gun. A Reg Mag that belonged to a guy that was both a Texas Ranger and an FBI agent is probably unique.
With Factory grips on it, I would price that gun at $30,000 minimum. Starting below that would be foolish.
At some auction house like Rock Island or Morphy, there is no predicting what it might do if you can provide a lot of provenance.

 

[DARE]

Wow

Thanks for the feedback. Guess I need a set of original magna stocks. What would be the best way to find some?
Appreciate you guys as always.

 

[murphydog]

I would first try a Wanted to Buy ad on both the public and SWCA sides.

 

[paplinker]

Thanks for the feedback. Guess I need a set of original magna stocks. What would be the best way to find some?
Appreciate you guys as always.

You just missed a nice set on the for sale side.

You should try the WTB section and make an ad.

Some sets show up on ebay but you should really study the pics as most have work done to them.

 

[lestert357]

Nice to see that gun finally got the grips it deserves!

 

[VM]

Here is the gun with a set of pre-war magna stocks. Many thanks to Lee Jarrett. He had a set that I think look very nice.

The grips look great and you couldn’t have dealt with a better Man.

 

[DARE]

Looking at this old thread and saw I did not have a picture of the gun with correct grips. Think I did at one time but had it moved it to a different thread.